COUNTY NEWS: Driver dies in Sussex A27 crash

Rescue

Published:16:52Thursday 05 March 2015

Police are advising drivers in East Sussex that long delays in the Polegate to Lewes area around the A27 continue this afternoon, Thursday (5 March), and are likely to extend into the early evening, beyond the rush hour, following a crash in which a driver died.

At 11.40am a 41-ton container lorry with a load of aluminium overturned on to its side on the westbound A27 outside Folkington Manor between Polegate and Drusillas roundabout, and collided with a car.

One other vehicle, a scaffolding lorry, sustained minor damage.

The driver of the container lorry was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton to be treated for serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Rescue services released the driver of the car, who was its sole occupant, but he was confirmed dead at the scene. He is believed to be a man in his late forties who does not come from Sussex. Next of kin are being contacted.

Sergeant Dan Pitcher of the Surrey and Sussex Road Policing Unit said; “The A27 remains closed between Drusillas and Polegate until further notice and we appreciate the patience of drivers in following the diversions which are in place, but also in avoiding the area altogether if possible.

“Dealing with the rescue, recovery, clearance of the road and investigation is complex and difficult, but we do hope to have the road open again this evening.”

The diversion route is, eastbound, from Lewes up to Ringmer and across to the A22, then down the A22 to Polegate. The westbound route is the same route reversed.

Police stress that the A26 to and from Newhaven is still open, as is the A259 across the coast.